Fernando Avelar
PEOPLE

Fernando Avelar

Partner
avelar.fernando@dorsey.com

Overview

FERNANDO HELPS CLIENTS SUCCEED BY REACHING THEIR BUSINESS GOALS THROUGH MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS, VENTURE CAPITAL, PRIVATE EQUITY FINANCING, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, AND OTHER CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.

Fernando Avelar is a highly skilled attorney with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, and private equity transactions. Throughout his legal career, he has established a reputation as a trusted advisor and advocate for clients ranging from start-ups to large corporations.

Over the years, Fernando has worked on numerous complex M&A transactions, including both domestic and cross-border deals. He has represented clients in a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, food and beverage, and financial services, among others. He has also advised clients on a wide range of corporate matters, such as corporate governance, securities law compliance, and general corporate counseling.

In addition to his M&A work, Fernando has extensive experience in venture capital and private equity transactions. He has represented both investors and companies in a variety of financing transactions, including seed rounds, Series A and B rounds, and later-stage financing rounds. He has also advised clients on matters related to corporate venture capital, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.

Fernando also regularly represents professional athletes in both sports and non-sports transactions. His expertise in this area includes negotiating marketing agency agreements, private investments, and other complex contracts unique to the sports industry.

Clients appreciate Fernando’s strategic thinking, attention to detail, and ability to navigate complex legal issues with ease. He is committed to providing the highest level of service to his clients, and takes pride in developing long-term relationships built on trust and mutual respect.

When he is not practicing law, Fernando enjoys attending live music events and traveling to new places in the world, and is actively involved in the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program.

Education & Admissions

Southern Methodist University (J.D., 2013)

University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 2009)

Admissions

  • Texas

Languages

  • Spanish

Experience

Representative Experience

  • Represented a window manufacturer in the sale of its business to a public company for $240M.
  • Represented a healthcare technology business in the sale of its business to a strategic acquirer for $190M.
  • Represented the principals of a moving and storage company in the sale of their equity for $238M.
  • Represented a behavioral health business in the sale of its business to a strategic acquirer for $65M.
  • Represented a medical technology business in an $8M equity financing round which included a recapitalization.
  • Represented a data center developer in an equity sale to a pension fund and a private equity firm for $105M.
  • Represented a fishing tackle business in an equity sale to a private equity firm for $48M.
  • Represented a facial recognition company in an equity sale to a private equity firm specializing in defense and government services for $40M.
  • Represented a private equity firm in the purchase of a pump and valve manufacturer for $25.5M.
  • Represented a North American aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul company in the equity purchase of an aircraft repair station for $30M.
  • Represented a private equity firm in the purchase of a beverage company for $19.5M.
  • Represented a digital fitness company in a $3M equity financing round.

News & Resources

Articles

Dallas

News & Press Mentions

Fernando Avelar Elected as Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
Dorsey & Whitney Names 22 New Partners

Industries & Practices

  • Banking & Financial Institutions
  • Capital Markets
  • Closely Held Businesses
  • Corporate Governance & Compliance
  • Emerging Companies
  • Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Lending Transactions
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Private Equity
  • Technology

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Member, The University of Texas System, Chancellor’s Centurions
  • Member, Dallas Bar Association, Community Service Fund, Board of Directors
  • Volunteer Attorney, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program
  • Member, Hispanic National Bar Association
  • Member, Dallas Bar Association
  • Member, Dallas Hispanic Bar Association
  • Member, Association for Corporate Growth

Accolades

Pro Bono Bronze Medal   50+ Diversity Hours
  • Contributed 20+ Pro Bono Challenge hours, 2024

  • Contributed 50+ Diversity & Inclusion hours, 2022

  • D CEO + ACG 2017 M&A Large Deal award for “Headwaters Inc. acquired Krestmark Industries”
Fernando Avelar